A Break for Breakthroughs is a regular, live event/webinar showcase of emerging technologies and resources from leading research institutions and start-ups that have the potential to impact multiple industrial sectors

A Break for Breakthroughs is a regular, live event/webinar showcase of emerging technologies and resources from leading research institutions and start-ups that have the potential to impact multiple industrial sectors

This session will explore how industry-interfacing university offices effectively using focus groups, events, partnerships with both external business stakeholders and campus research/strength areas to effectively develop programs and initiatives to increase interactions with businesses of all sizes, from large corporations to SMEs.

Focus Areas

The expert panel will talk from inception > collection > interpretation > action using two distinct and purposeful approaches/case studies:

Targeted/Inside Out: Clustering and cataloging internal assets in strength areas and using that knowledge to approach the priorities of companies in those needs areas

Generalized/ Outside In: An economic development, city/regional approach through partnerships with chambers, initiative foundations, and other state partners to gather business feedback and interest from SMEs regarding engagement on campus through business leader focus groups and surveying

Participants can use this information to craft a powerful and customized approach to gathering feedback for their own campus-wide or unit-based corporate relations strategies. Both approaches are meant to tie directly into institutional leadership priorities in both industrial partnering and economic development.